Party politics: Business as usual in Washington, and the capitals of all fifty states, but it was not how the Founding Fathers envisioned the government being run. In fact, the premier Founding Father, George Washington, railed against the spirit of party that has so polarized the country. Party politics is dividing America against itself, convinces Americans to follow their party leaders like sheep, and marginalize any dissenters who would draw ideas from both sides.

While it may be a human instinct to gather in groups that have the similar beliefs and ideas, party politics tend to take this instinct to the extreme. There is a fostering of mindless tribalism that makes the party members opposed to any idea that comes from the outside. Propaganda is used to its greatest extent to vilify the other party. Slander, false information, and vile stereotypes are used to foster an “us verses them” mentality that closes the mind, and precludes any criticism of the party line. Dissent is met with shunning, or being labeled a traitor to the cause. And it is even to the point that the members of the tribe are encouraged to only get their news and editorials from party approved media. The opinions of the party supporters are not made through their own thoughts and research, but spoon-fed to them, and repeated until they are convinced that they thought of it themselves.

This is indoctrination of the worst sort, because it is perpetrated by parents, by community leaders, by teachers, and by the media. It has been this way, it has “always” been this way, and this is how it will stay.

Don’t you think it’s time that this changed?

George Washington wrote on his farewell address:

“I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the state, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party, generally.

This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.

The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty.

Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind, (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight,) the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.”

The First President of the United States warned against the effects of party politics as he left the office, and his warning fell on deaf ears. Parties were formed, polarity was fostered, and battle lines were drawn.

The baneful effects of the spirit of party are most evident on the Internet, where assured by the anonymity of the username, and hiding behind a psudo-patriotic alias, the mudslinging occurs on both sides. I have seen both parties call the other evil destroyers of the American Way of Life. They portray themselves as glorious saviors, wrapping themselves in the flag, calling upon their fellow countrymen to choose a side, when both sides are equally guilty of causing this country harm.

It is time to drop party politics like the bad idea it is. Aren’t you tired of being fleeced by the politicians? Then it is time to stop being the parties’ sheep. Do your own researches, find your own facts, remove the party-approved blinders, discover both sides of the story, and choose for yourself the POLICIES that will make this country great. Parties have done nothing but divide, and the politicians have conquered.

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QueenofHearts

Party politics will continue as long as our presidential election is "first past the post" style. As of now, an individual needs 270 electoral votes to become president out of 538 electoral votes (essentially forcing 2 main people to run against each other for the nod). Parties do a good job of working within this system. Likewise, the big tent theory proposes that parties will seek out minority groups to further push them past 270 or 51% of votes (lower elections, senate, House, state govenor, and state congresses). Party politics may not be ideal and are certainly not perfect, but with the current rules, they're kind of what we get.

Actually, "Not What the Founders Intended" could form the basis for a recurring series. There's no shortage of people claiming the Founding Fathers wanted a Christian Nation or hated gays or some other thing that matches one's own politics.

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Quote from: The_Queen

I have more pleasant things to focus my attention, time, and resources on than Gamergate or the Gamergate thread, such as pouring hot sauce in my eyes, lemon juice enemas, and imagining being eaten alive by fire ants.

All right. I'll add it. Mind you, I DID do the research, but since it was for an editorial (which never got published) I didn't do citations. >.> One of my sources, though was "Don't Know Much About History." Great book.